Аваргуудын лигийн тойм: Манчестер Юнайтедын хүндрэл үргэлжилж, Арсенал болон Барселонагийн ялалт хүлээгдэж байна

It was a fascinating weekend of Premier League football – and yet how much of it really mattered?

Manchester City’s ongoing battle to clear their name after being found guilty of over 100 breaches of financial regulations means there is an asterix next to everything until the sanctions are announced and confirmed.

That doesn’t really apply to the Champions League although it would bring into sharp focus the level of City’s wrongdoing if they were to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2023.

Enzo Maresca’s side are involved in the tie of the match round when they host two-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

Here, we take a look at the week’s key games and offer our predictions.

TUESDAY

Arsenal v Lille (8pm)
Arsenal struggled again at the weekend, requiring goals in the final half hour to see off Leeds at the Emirates. Indeed, with some better finishing, the Yorkshire side would have headed back up the M1 with all three points. Mikel Arteta insists he is happy with his side’s attacking output but there’s no doubt they are not currently firing on all cylinders. Arteta is likely to make a few changes for the visit of Lille and he may find answers elsewhere in his deep squad. Lille are going well in Ligue 1 and sit just a point behind leaders Monaco. Davide Ancelotti has proved elite management runs in the genes but this is a huge test for the 37-year-old.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Lille

Atletico Madrid v Manchester United (8pm)
Despite conceding a last-gasp equaliser against Tottenham on Saturday, a point was arguably more than Manchester United deserved after another largely lifeless performance. Teams often mirror their manager and, at the minute, United are quiet, unassuming and lacking aggression, just like Michael Carrick. Carrick has some major issues to address and the Metropolitano is not the ideal place to do it. Atletico will smell blood and Diego Simeone is not one to let that opportunity pass.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Manchester United

Galatasaray v Barcelona (8pm)
The real test of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will likely come in the Champions League this season. They already seem nailed on to retain La Liga for a third successive year with main challengers Real Madrid limping along having taken the backward step of reappointing Jose Mourinho over the summer. Barca have not lifted Europe’s elite club trophy since 2015 but should challenge this season. Rodri is a shrewd acquisition but the lack of a world class number nine could eventually prove problematic. Galatasaray will look to make it difficult for the Catalans, as will a boisterous home support at RAMS Park. This won’t be straightforward but Barca should have enough.
Prediction: Galatasaray 1-3 Barcelona

WEDNESDAY

LASK Linz v Liverpool (5.45pm)
Liverpool performed well for 20 minutes against Manchester City on Sunday but you always sensed they would run out of steam. That’s exactly what happened and, assisted by the unfortunate dismissal of Ryan Gravenberch, the visitors ran away with it. Liverpool have yet to solve the Florian Wirtz conundrum with the Germany international looking totally lost again at the weekend. Bradley Barcola was equally poor and Reds fans have every right to expect more. LASK are also struggling having not won in the Austrian Bundesliga since September 1.
Prediction: LASK Linz 0-1 Liverpool

Aston Villa v Fenerbahce (8pm)
Like Liverpool and Manchester United, Aston Villa are stumbling through games right now. Saturday’s home draw with Brentford was a decent result after another disjointed display. Perhaps we should not expect anything else after a summer of upheaval at Villa Park and it is likely Unai Emery will need time to mould this latest incarnation of Villa into a cohesive unit. Fener have plenty of Premier League experience in their ranks with the likes of Ederson, Nathan Ake, N’Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku and former Villa loanee Marco Asensio. It remains to be seen whether the visitors are willing to subject Mason Greenwood to a hostile return to England.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Fenerbahce

Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain (8pm)
There seems very little contrition at Manchester City, although that is perhaps understandable given their absolute confidence their name will be cleared. That is likely to lead to a sense of defiance at the Etihad on Wednesday night against the two-time defending European champions. On the pitch, City have been superb with Enzo Maresca making a seamless transition into the hot seat vacated by Pep Guardiola. This is a huge test, though. PSG may have won just half their games in Ligue 1 but they will still win the title. They save their best displays, and best XIs, for nights like this.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain

Roma v Real Madrid (8pm)
Jose Mourinho could do with some love right now. The former Roma boss will be assured of a warm welcome back at the Stadio Olimpico and will relish the chance to get away from the Spanish capital after another weekend of controversy that saw him skip his post-match media duties following the 1-0 win over Villarreal. The drama that follows him is regarded as box-office by some and hugely tedious by others. His team have shown themselves to be vulnerable away from home this season with defeats at Atletico and Real Betis and will be tested again by a Roma side going well in Serie A.
Prediction: Roma 1-2 Real Madrid